2010

Is there a cheap way to repair a tyre?

29 December 2010 by Marc Abbott

I caught a financial cold recently when I picked up a puncture in a nearly-new Z-rated tyre and I had to get it replaced. Is there any guaranteed way I can avoid a costly bill if I get another...

Is it safe to disconnect my battery?

28 December 2010 by Marc Abbott

My friend told me that I cannot disconnect the old battery completely on my Suzuki GSX1400 as this means I will “lose the memory in the ECU”. Is this correct? Walter Calne, email The moment you...

Can I get a custom-made screen?

27 December 2010 by Marc Abbott

I have a 2007 Yamaha FJR1300A, which is a great bike, but I have an issue with the screen. When it’s down I just get buffeted to pieces, and if I put the screen up the wind just pushes my head forward...

Why do I keep getting punctures?

21 December 2010 by MCN

Q. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong, but I keep picking up punctures in my rear tyres. I’ve had four in the last 2000 miles and it’s getting expensive to pay for repair or replacement. Save £££s on...

Can I ditch my lambda sensor?

21 December 2010 by MCN

Q. I want to change the exhaust on my 2009 Yamaha XJ6. I’m happy to get a full system less the cat as I’m told it will reduce weight and increase horsepower. Some systems that I’ve looked at state...

Best all-round tyres for Triumph Street Triple R

14 December 2010 by MCN

Q. I have a Triumph Street Triple R, I’m 43 and passed my Direct Access two and a half years ago. Save cash on motorcycle tyres I ride back lanes for fun and do the odd trip to the coast and back,...

How can I fix R6's ignition transponder?

07 December 2010 by MCN

Q. I recently bought a 2003 Yamaha R6. It was working all right for a week, but one evening it didn’t start. On pressing the starter switch I could hear the starter sound but the bike failed to...

Does my Triumph T955i have a loose sprag clutch?

07 December 2010 by MCN

Q. I’ve been reading some articles stored in my garage on the Triumph T595 from 1998 and I’m worried. It says the bolts on the starter sprag clutch can come undone, and you first hear a rattle, before...

What's causing my ST1300 to wiggle?

01 December 2010 by Marc Abbott

I have a Honda ST1300, that’s in generally fine fettle, with good tyres and swingarm, and with steering head and wheel bearings in good condition, too. However, when pulling away, the bike feels like...

Effect of a squared-off front tyre

26 November 2010 by MCN

Q. I have a Kawasaki ZX-6R G1. When I go round corners my steering wobbles and when I’m going really slow in traffic, I’m fighting to balance, but then it’s fine in a straight line at speed. I checked...

How to seal an old petrol tank

26 November 2010 by MCN

Q. One of my chums yesterday told me he was getting a new tank for his old Bonneville. When I asked why, he said because he put Petseal in the tank and now that petrol has a higher percentage of...

How can I solve riding pain?

26 November 2010 by MCN

Q. I’m a female pensioner who has taken up biking again in the last couple of years after a long absence. I live in Spain and it’s great for biking, but I have one problem. I’m pretty heavy and after...

Why are my tyres tearing after 10 laps?

15 November 2010 by MCN

Q. I was recently at the Motorland circuit in Spain. This track is very fast and has a strong left-hand bias and is tough on tyres. The Dunlop Sportmax slick fitted to my 2004 Yamaha R1 wore really...

How much oil should my Fireblade use?

15 November 2010 by MCN

Q. I currently own a 954 Fireblade and am looking to upgrade to a 2008, 2009 or 2010 model, but I keep hearing from owners that they use quite an amount of oil. My 954 never uses oil from one service...

Can I upgrade Kawasaki ER-5's brakes?

09 November 2010 by MCN

Q. I want to replace my 1998 Kawasaki ER-5’s front brake caliper with a better brake, maybe a twin or a four-piston set-up. Is there a brake that would fit straight on or would I have to make an...

Product review: Kryptonite New York disc lock

05 November 2010 by Marc Abbott

Kryptonite New York disc lock, £56.99 Time used: Six months What’s good? This little disc lock travels with me whenever I make a journey that’s not garage-to-garage. It’s light enough to carry in a...

Glove review: Oxford Bone Dry Sports

05 November 2010 by Dan Aspel

Oxford Bone Dry Sports Gloves, £47.49 Miles covered/time: 500/three weeks What’s good? They’re smooth and silky inside and immediately comfortable on the ends of your arms. The armour seems solid and...

Why does my tyre keep deflating?

04 November 2010 by MCN

Q. My front tyre has only done 1300 miles, but it keeps deflating. When I took it to a local tyre dealer they said it was porous – is this normal? PTMX1234, MCN forums A. The majority of problems with...

Can I get my 749’s wheel repaired?

04 November 2010 by MCN

Q. I have just had a low speed coming off. The bike, a Ducati 749, dropped onto one side and slid into a kerb putting a small dent into my front Marchesini wheel rim. What is your opinion on getting a...

Why can't I sync my Bandit's carbs?

04 November 2010 by MCN

Q. I decided to sync the carbs on a 1999 Bandit 600 I just bought. I got her warmed up and tried to set the idle speed at 1750rpm for the sync (as per the Haynes manual). I turned the adjuster screw...

Do my Fireblade's fork seals need replacing?

27 October 2010 by MCN

Q. I was advised at my MoT that one fork seal on my ’04 Fireblade was worn (there was slight misting of oil on the fork). The garage said they could replace just the one, but when I rang the main...

Why is my RF600R shooting flames?!

26 October 2010 by MCN

Q. I got on my Suzuki RF600R today to go home from work, and the first thing it did when I tried to start it was backfire and shoot flames. I thought what the hell, maybe these things happen. When I...

Best tyres for a Kawasaki ZX-9R

21 October 2010 by MCN

I need some new tyres for my 2003 Kawasaki ZX-9R. It’s currently fitted with Bridgestone BT-014s, I’m mainly an easy road rider, but I like to get it over in the bends occasionally, so could do with...

Can I fit an injected motor to a carbed bike?

21 October 2010 by MCN

I have a 1994 Suzuki Slingshot streetfighter which I love the look of, but getting the carbs balanced is costly. So I would like to fit a more modern fuel-injected engine, or can I get away with a new...

Does my Hornet need a Power Commander?

07 October 2010 by MCN

Q. I have a 2008 ABS Honda Hornet which has an Akrapovic megaphone end can fitted. At the moment the bike doesn’t run smoothly at certain points. Would this need to be fixed by a Power Commander? Or...

Where can I buy Triumph paint?

07 October 2010 by MCN

Q. I just wondered if any other readers have had the same problem with Triumph paint as I have. I am the owner of an ’09 Sprint 1050 ABS in Phantom Black which I sadly managed to drop in a paddock...

Are tyres responsible for FireBlades's juddering?

07 October 2010 by MCN

Q. I have a problem with my 1995 Fireblade. When I brake heavily I get violent front end judder. I do track days and it is making it unrideable. Save £££s on motorcycle tyres The discs and pads are...

Jacket review: Aerostich Falstaff

01 October 2010 by Simon Relph

Falstaff jacket, $397 (£258) Miles covered/time: 4200/13 months What’s good? The closest you can come to putting on your favourite slippers, this jacket immediately feels that you have owned it for...

What’s causing my mystery puncture?

29 September 2010 by MCN

Q. I was riding on the M54 tonight and the front tyre on my 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R went flat really quickly, I struggled over to the hard shoulder and got recovered back home. Find a used Kawasaki...

How can I improve my Speed Triple’s rear brake?

29 September 2010 by MCN

Q. I have a Triumph Speed Triple 955i on a 2000 plate. My back brake is virtually none existent. I have had it checked and have been told that everything is OK, and that it’s just a common thing with...

Why won't my Honda CBF500's lights come on?

22 September 2010 by Marc Abbott

When I start my Honda CBF500 up the headlight should come on automatically. Sometimes it works and sometimes not. However, after riding for a few minutes it comes on and stays on. Neither dip nor main...

What does mystery XJR error code mean?

21 September 2010 by MCN

I have a friend who has a 2008 Yamaha XJR1300. He has a problem with a code that keeps coming up on the warning panel – when you switch the ignition on, the code that shows up is “20”. If the engine...

Help! GPZ instrument lights have stopped working

17 September 2010 by MCN

The instrument panel lights have all gone on my 1994 Kawasaki GPZ500S and I need to know if I need capless or mini bayonet type bulbs to replace them? I know they need to be 12 volt/3.4 watt. ...

Why is my 2007 R1 ticking?

10 September 2010 by MCN

Q. I have a 2007 R1 with just over 7000 miles on it. I noticed that there was a ticking noise coming from the right hand side of the bike and so took it to a dealer who thought there was no problem. I...

How to buy leathers that fit

10 September 2010 by MCN

Q. I have just bought a set of two-piece leathers and have a question about the fit. I am a 40/41-inch chest and so ordered the size 42 after speaking to the salesman. The sleeves end at just above...

Advice: Why is my ZX-6R cutting out?

07 September 2010 by MCN

horuson1: I have a ZX-6R C1H (2005). When I go for a ride it seems to be running hotter than it should then if I stop it cuts out unless I rev it. If it cuts out it won’t restart for about 15 minutes...